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The Top Things to See and Do in Zanzibar

The name is as evocative – aromatic, almost – as the spices that made this Indian Ocean archipelago a global success story centuries ago. Zanzibar is blessed with ornate Omani imperial architecture, a vibrant Islam-informed culture and beaches of the purest sand. To ensure you’re seeing the best of what this Tanzanian island has to offer, check out this list of the top things to see and do in this gem off the East African coast.

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1. Stone Town

Cathedral, Mosque, Shop

2. Jozani Forest

Forest, Park

4. Forodhani Market

Market, Asian, Middle Eastern, African, European, Street Food

In the thick of Stone Town, as the afternoon dims towards evening, Forodhani Gardens transforms into a circus of calorific magnificence: welcome to Zanzibar’s spectacular night-time food market, a whirl of chefs juggling spitting pans. The aromas are fabulous, and the range of dishes is extraordinary. Bring a large appetite. You might be familiar with some of the offerings – kebabs of tandoori lobster, say, or falafel as big as your fist. Our favourites are the fish plates served with fried potato balls, naan and samosas. You won’t need to eat for a week – or maybe just not until the same time, same place tomorrow.

5. Palace Museum

6. House of Wonders

7. spice tour.

Introduced around 500 years ago by Portuguese traders who carried them from their colonies in India and South America, spices have made Zanzibar a trading hub for centuries. Small organic set-ups today still produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and more. One of the most sensory ways to appreciate the destination is to follow your nose through twisting backstreets led by an experienced guide. You’ll inhale fabulous aromas of turmeric and vanilla, cardamom, chilli and black pepper. At the end of the tour you’ll have a Swahili lunch flavoured with what you’ve smelt, and will be able to buy supplies to take home.

8. The Old Fort

Historical Landmark

The oldest building in Stone Town, the Old Fort is located on the seafront, right in front of Forodhani Gardens. Built in the 17th century to protect the island from the attacking Portuguese , nowadays the Old Fort is one of the main sights in Stone Town. You can wander around, admiring the remains of the former stronghold, and amble around the courtyard in the centre, where sellers have all kinds of aromatic local produce for sale. An old amphitheatre still hosts events and functions.

9. The Rock

Restaurant, African, Seafood

10. Freddie Mercury Museum

Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, Freddie Mercury, the flamboyant Queen frontman, is remembered in Mercury House. The small museum in the family’s former home pays homage to the island’s most famous son. Yellowing family photographs, the first piano he ever played and a selection of stage costumes await fans at the museum in Stone Town, which was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000.

11. Nakupenda Beach

Natural Feature

Nakupenda (Swahili for I love you) is the name of a slender slice of sandbank just off the coast of Stone Town. And what’s not to love? Abutting the brilliant blue of the ocean, this tiny beach is an idyll of sand as soft and white as baby powder. It’s the perfect spot for swimming, snorkelling in clear waters flickering with marine life and generally keeping cool under the hot African sun. If you’re lucky you might glimpse the local superstars – the much-loved dolphins, doing their own thing in the distance.

12. Changuu Island

Commonly referred to as Prison Island, Changuu draws the beachy faithful here to sunbathe, splash about in transparent blue waters just perfect for snorkelling, and say hello to the giant tortoises descended from those brought here from the Seychelles more than a century ago. In a dark chapter of Zanzibar’s history, the island was once a place where enslaved people were kept – which explains the unofficial name.

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10 Top Things to Do in Zanzibar

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Zanzibar… It’s a word full of exoticism, a promise of paradise beaches and fragrant spices. Both of these are found on Zanzibar Island , more properly known as Unguja. Shaped by its location on the trade route between Persia, Arabia, and East Africa, Zanzibar grew rich during medieval times from the export of ivory, gold, and spices from the mainland. Later, it profited from the slave trade. Once part of the Sultanate of Oman and occupied for separate periods by Portuguese and British colonialists, Zanzibar is now a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. Exploring the extraordinary architecture left by its previous inhabitants is one way to spend your time there. Other ideas include spice tours, watersports, and tracking down rare indigenous wildlife. 

Wander Through the Streets of Stone Town

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Stone Town dates back to medieval times, although the Portuguese built the first stone building at the end of the 17th century. It grew to prominence as the capital of the Omani Zanzibar Sultanate and was the center of the trade in spices and slaves. When the British took over in 1890, Stone Town retained its position as Zanzibar’s most important settlement. As a result, its coral stone architecture blends Swahili, Islamic, and European influences. Top attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Portuguese Old Fort, the former Sultan’s residence known as the House of Wonders, and the Anglican Cathedral. Explore on your own, or join a walking tour like the one offered by Colors of Zanzibar . 

Learn About the Island’s Spice Trade History

Zanzibar’s spice trade history began at the end of the 15th century when the first Portuguese traders brought nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices with them from their colonies in India and South America. The plantations flourished in the ideal conditions of the Swahili Coast. Later, the Omani Sultan established Zanzibar’s iconic clove industry. To understand more about how and why the spices were grown, join a spice farm tour . Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about everything from clove and cinnamon to vanilla, chilies, turmeric, and a host of exotic fruits and herbs. Your guide will explain their culinary, medicinal, and even cosmetic uses; then, you’ll sample them during a traditional Swahili lunch. Prices start from $25 per person. 

Discover Local Culture on a Nungwi Village Tour

To get an idea of how modern Zanzibaris live, join the Nungwi village tour offered by Coral Sites & Tours. The village is located at the northern tip of the island and is renowned for its beautiful beach; and for its boatyard where artisan shipbuilders create traditional dhows. On the tour, you’ll get the opportunity to speak with the yard owner, who will explain how the wood is sourced and shaped, and how these iconic East African vessels are launched into the ocean. You’ll also visit the Nungwi fish market, where local fishermen sell their catch from the previous night. A highlight for many guests is a swim at Mnarani Natural Aquarium, a tidal lagoon full of protected sea turtles. 

Soak Up the Sun on Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches

Most Zanzibar beaches have an extensive tidal range, which means you’ll have a considerable distance to walk (sometimes across seaweed-strewn rocks) to reach the water at low tide. The exception is the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa , which offer picture-perfect swathes of soft white sand lapped by crystalline turquoise waters at any time of day or night. Nungwi is the busier of the two, with enthusiastic beach vendors and plenty of tourists worshipping the sun. Lively waterfront bars and restaurants mean that it’s the beach to choose if you like to be at the center of the action. For a more tranquil atmosphere, head south to Kendwa Beach, one of the island’s top spots for sunset. 

Test Your Kitesurfing Skills on the East Coast

If you prefer your beach time to be a little more active, you’ll be pleased to hear that Zanzibar is also a rewarding kitesurfing destination . The best spots are on the east coast beaches of Paje, Jambiani, Dongwe, Kiwengwa, and Pwani Mchangani. Of these, Paje (with its long stretch of white sand and choice of inner and outer lagoons) is the most famous and, therefore, the busiest. Paje and Jambiani offer the greatest selection of kitesurfing shops, whether you want to rent equipment or sign up for a few lessons. There are two main windy seasons in Zanzibar: from June to October (for the strongest winds), and from mid-December to March. Be prepared for extreme tidal ranges all year round. 

Explore Beautiful Coral Reefs on Snorkel or Scuba

Zanzibar’s serene turquoise waters conceal colorful reefs that teem with marine life, making the island a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. There are more than 30 dive sites to choose from, ranging from British shipwrecks off Stone Town to the pristine coral walls of Mnemba Island. Base yourself in Nungwi for the chance to dive on Leven Bank, where nutrient-rich currents attract large game fish, including tuna, trevally, and shoals of barracuda. From August to September, humpback whales are regularly seen from the boat and can often be heard underwater. One Ocean is the oldest dive operation in Tanzania and offers PADI dive courses and divemaster-led fun dives from three different locations in Zanzibar: Stone Town, Matemwe, and Kiwengwa. 

Embark on a Dhow Cruise to Prison Island

Set sail on a traditional dhow for a half-day tour of Prison Island. Located roughly 3.5 miles west of Stone Town, the island was once used to isolate rebellious slaves and later as a quarantine station for yellow fever victims. Nevertheless, the prison for which it is named has never housed a convict, and today the island is most famous for its collection of vulnerable Aldabra giant tortoises. The latter was a gift from the governor of Seychelles. On the tour, you’ll wander through the historic prison, meet the tortoises, and have the chance to swim or snorkel off the white sand beach. The Original Dhow Safaris offers departures at 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. 

Look for Wildlife in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Zanzibar’s only national park is a low-lying sanctuary full of tropical forest and saltwater mangroves. You can explore the latter on a raised boardwalk, but the forest nature trail is the main attraction, allowing visitors to look out for endangered endemic wildlife, including the Zanzibar red colobus and the Zanzibar servaline genet. The Zanzibar leopard also lives here, although sightings are unlikely; the cat was listed as extinct until it was spotted on a camera trap in 2018. More common are monkeys, bushbabies, and duiker antelope, while birders can keep an eye out for more than 40 different avian species. The park’s entrance is located 20 miles south of Stone Town and entry costs $10 per adult. 

Stroll Through the Ruins of Maruhubi Palace

Get an insight into the opulent lives of the Omani sultans with a visit to ruined Maruhubi Palace . Located 2.5 miles north of Stone Town, the palace was built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar in 1880. Completed in 1882, it housed his wife and concubines while he lived separately in his own palace in Stone Town. Although fire destroyed Maruhubi in 1899, its palm-encircled ruins are still wonderfully scenic. Graceful stone columns hint at the previous existence of an upper balcony, while the remains of a Persian-style bathhouse include separate chambers for the sultan and his harem. Entry costs around $2 and comes with a local guide, who can show you photos of the palace in its heyday. 

Experience Barefoot Luxury With a Stay on Mnemba Island

For an unforgettable luxury experience of your own, indulge in a night or two at 5-star andBeyond Mnemba Island –the only accommodation on this idyllic private atoll off Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Here, indulgence is served up Robinson Crusoe-style. You’ll sleep in one of 12 rustic chic beachside bandas, and dine on exquisitely prepared seafood at tables set feet from the water’s edge. How you spend your time in between meals is up to you. Unwind with a yoga class or in-room massage, or set sail across gin-clear waters on a traditional dhow cruise. Rates include two scuba dives per day on world-class dive sites, in addition to snorkeling, kayaking, fly fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding. 

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Aug 15, 2019 • 5 min read

Zanzibar's coast is a picture perfect palette of tropical beach bliss © Den-Belitsky / Getty Images

The allure of Zanzibar is timeless. White sands and turquoise waters ring the island, and African, Indian, Arabic and Persian influences intertwine in Stone Town to form a rich cultural backdrop. If it is your first time visiting Tanzania 's most famous island, here are some tips to get started.

Zanzibar’s beaches are justifiably famous. Fine white sands edge clear turquoise waters, traditional Arabic dhows sail into the dawn, silhouetted against pastel-tinted skies. Coconut palms wave gently in the breeze. Whether as post-safari relaxation or as a stand-alone destination, the beaches on Zanzibar’s east coast and around its northern tip offer a quintessential tropical island paradise. Each beach has its own personality. Paje is known for its kitesurfing. Matemwe has a more chilled vibe, and entices with its powdery sands and glimpses of village life. Nungwi , in northern Zanzibar, sees tradition mix with contemporary life. Fishing boats launch from the beach and dhow builders ply their ancient craft against a backdrop of western-style hotels and partying. Nearby Kendwa shares some of Nungwi’s buzz, but everything is more spread out, and the beach here has the advantage of being swimmable around the clock. Quiet Pongwe is more isolated, and good for getting away from the crowds. Jambiani, with its impossibly turquoise waters and sun-bleached coral-rag houses, is an ideal spot to gain insights into local life.

All the beaches are within a one to two hour drive of Stone Town. Transport in private minivans or public dalla-dallas is frequent and affordable, and it is quite feasible to base yourself at the beaches and explore Stone Town on a series of day trips.

2. Stone Town

Zanzibar Town is the island's main settlement, and the historical old Stone Town is its heart and soul. It's also a wonderful spot to get immersed in island rhythms. Start exploring at Forodhani Gardens , a lively stretch of seafront where Zanzibaris of all ages gather in the early evening to watch the sun go down and enjoy the passing scene. Young men jump from the thick stone seawall into the harbour waters below, children play and women in bui-bui (black shawls) gather to chat. Food vendors hawk sizzling skewers of grilled pweza (octopus), steaming bowls of urojo (a tasty coastal soup) and hot mkate wa kumimina (a filling rice-flour bread).

Just opposite the gardens is the massive Old Fort , built by Omani Arabs when they seized Zanzibar from the Portuguese in 1698. Also here is the imposing House of Wonders , which boasts what are said to be the largest carved doors in East Africa. From the House of Wonders, wind your way through Stone Town’s maze of narrow alleyways, stopping en route at the Palace Museum , with its displays on the Omani sultanate in the 19th century. Other worthwhile stops include the beautiful Aga Khan and Ijumaa mosques, Hamamni Persian Baths – Zanzibar’s first public baths – and the Anglican Cathedral , with its moving Slave Memorial and the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibit. Finish up at lively, crowded Darajani Market , where sellers offer a colourful assortment of textiles, fruit, plastic ware and more. Along the way are plenty of small shops for browsing, packed with curios and fragrant with cloves, cinnamon and other spices.

3. Jozani-Chwaka National Park

Jozani is the largest area of indigenous forest on Zanzibar, and offers a glimpse of the vegetation that once covered much of the island. It is famous for its Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, an endangered species found only here. The forest is also home to other monkey species, plus duikers, bushbabies and over 40 species of birds. Jozani can easily be visited as a day trip from Zanzibar Town, or as a stop en route from town to the beaches. Allow a couple of hours to walk the forest trail and enjoy the nature.

4. Spice tours

In bygone days, spices dominated the economy of the Zanzibar Archipelago . Today, the trade has faded, but going on a spice tour to the plantations that dot the island makes for an enjoyable and informative half-day excursion. On these tours, you will get to see, taste and smell many of the spices, herbs and fruits that grow on Zanzibar, including cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, jackfruit and lemongrass. Tours can be arranged through hotels and local tour companies, and usually include lunch. Some also offer visits to local schools or village cooperatives.

5. Diving and snorkelling

The waters off northeastern Zanzibar offer excellent diving, with rich coral reefs, wall and drift dives and a wonderful array of fish. There is also rewarding diving off-shore from Stone Town, with soft and hard corals and wreck dives. There are many dive companies to choose from in all of the major beach destinations, inluding Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe and Paje, as well as in Stone Town. Expect good visibility and water temperatures averaging about 27°C.

Make it happen

Flights to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam are frequent and fast, taking about 30 minutes and costing between US$45 and US$80 one-way. There are also daily ferry connections to and from the mainland, taking about two hours and costing US$35 one-way. Once on the island, you'll need to go through (usually brief) immigration formalities. Whether arriving by air or by sea, it's a good idea to take advantage of the advance-arrangement pick-up services offered by most hotels, so that a taxi will already be waiting for you.

Zanzibar offers a wide selection of accommodation. In Stone Town, budget travellers can try Jambo Guest house or Lost & Found . Mid-range options include Beyt al-Salaam and Tembo House Hotel , while top-end travellers can try Kisiwa House or Emerson Spice .

On the beaches, try Demani Lodge in Paje or Seles Bungalows in Matemwe for budget accommodation; Mnarani Beach Cottages in east Nungwi or Bellevue Guesthouse , just north of Paje in Bwejuu, for mid-range; and Pongwe Beach Hotel in Pongwe or Matemwe Lodge in Matemwe for top end.

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Best Things to Do in Zanzibar & What You Need To Know Before Visiting (Our Tips Included)

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

Is there anywhere in the world that sounds more beguiling than Zanzibar? You can virtually feel the sea breeze, hear the rustle of palm leaves, and smell the spices just by saying Zanzibar . I had always been intrigued by this Indian Ocean spice island just by the name alone, but once I set foot there and watched the iconic triangular-sailed dhows on the ocean; sampled the cuisine; and experienced this interesting mix between African and Arabian cultures, I truly fell in love with it.

Zanzibar is an archipelago of four islands off the coast of East Africa; its main island, Unguja, is often referred to as Zanzibar. Because of its strategic location along spice and slave trade routes in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar was a stronghold for many countries throughout its history. The country of Oman even declared Zanzibar its capital for 30 years in the 17th century. In the 1960s, the archipelago joined Tanganyika to form the country of Tanzania . (Tanzania lies just south of Kenya, with the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro practically straddling the border.)

Today, Zanzibar’s mainstays are spices and tourism, and English is widely spoken. Despite the tourism in the Zanzibar archipelago, finding people who have visited the islands is still quite rare, making this a dream location still very much off the beaten track.

Best Things to Do in Zanzibar & What You Need To Know Before Visiting (Our Tips Included)

1. how to get to zanzibar.

None of the U.S. airlines fly directly to Zanzibar , but you can connect through Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (the largest city in Tanzania). If you fly into Dar es Salaam, you have the option to take a short flight to the island or take the ferry connecting the mainland with Stone Town, the old portion of lovely Zanzibar City.

You can also connect through Middle Eastern airports such as those in Doha , Qatar; and Dubai , UAE; or through Johannesburg, South Africa.

Pro Tip: Finding Tanzanian shillings in the U.S. is virtually impossible, so hold out until you land in Tanzania and get the local currency from the ATMs in the airport. Make sure you always have plenty of change on you, as things are cheap and market stalls and cafes do not usually take cards.

2. Why You Should Visit Zanzibar

If the name alone doesn’t convince you, then visualize a perfect Indian Ocean island off the coast of Tanzania. You’ll see palm-fringed white-sand beaches protected by a healthy coral reef perfect for scuba diving. You’ll see blue water, an interior that still has plenty of indigenous forestland, and a capital, Zanzibar City, that is full of amazing architecture — a mix of Omani palaces, Arabian arches, and Indian wooden balconies and studded doors. The town’s narrow streets are bustling with life, offering visitors a heady mix made up of local women offering you henna tattoos, Maasai warriors playing pool in a corner cafe, multiple colorful markets, delicious food, fabulous shopping, and plenty of varied history. And then there are the beach resorts.

The best way to experience Zanzibar, at least in my mind, is to have a two-stop vacation: a stay in Stone Town which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 to enjoy all the town has to offer for a few days, then a drive through the interior to one of the many beach hotels and resorts to spend a few days relaxing on the beach. A week or two would not be too long, because there are a lot of things you can do in Zanzibar with your family or friends.

3. The Best Time To Visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar is very close to the equator, and because of that, the temperatures are steady throughout the year, going from warm to hot (77 degrees to slightly above 85 degrees), with the advantage of a fresh sea breeze reaching you nearly everywhere on the island. Between March and the end of May, you have the so-called heavy rains, but even then, the days are mostly dry with only odd heavy showers. The short rains take place in November.

Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, so do check what dates Ramadan and the two Eid celebrations fall on, as you will find many shops and cafes closed (although the beach resorts will offer business as usual).

Please note that there is malaria in Zanzibar, so you will need to get a suitable combination of malaria prophylaxis. Check with your nearest tropical diseases institute to learn which prophylaxis brands are recommended for the time you are planning to go.

4. The Best Things To Do In Zanzibar

The house of wonders.

The House of Wonders ( Bait al Ajaib ) in Stone Town was once the ceremonial palace of Sultan Bargash bin Said, the Omani sultan who ruled Zanzibar between 1870 and 1888. The building incorporates most of the typical Zanzibari architecture: enormous wooden doors, a reminder of both Arab and Indian craftsmanship; tall columns creating shady verandas around the building; and rooms located on the outside of the building, creating an airy and cool courtyard inside. It is now a museum in dire need of a bit of love and care but has an intriguing and eclectic mix of artifacts from throughout Zanzibar’s history.

Please note that a large part of the House of Wonders collapsed in 2020, and while restoration efforts are being made, progress is slow.

Next door, you’ll find the old Arab Fort dating back to the 17th century, which is worth exploring.

The Markets

The Darajani Market is the main market in historic Stone Town and, in fact, all of the main island. This is where everyone does their food shopping, exchanges gossip, and meets with friends. The atmosphere is electric; the colors, noise, and smells a feast for the senses. Obviously, with Zanzibar being the Spice Island, you shouldn’t miss the spice section. There is also a small souvenir market with local arts and crafts on sale next to the Old Fort.

At night, an absolute must-do is the food market in the Forodhani Gardens, just in front of the House of Wonders. Make sure you have plenty of small denominations of Tanzanian shillings in cash, as the food is cheap and cards are not taken.

Jozani Forest

The Jozani Forest is part of Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and the only home of the rare red colobus monkeys. You can book guided tours from Stone Town (or any beach resort) to the reserve, and a guide will take you through the mature forest, full of teak, mahogany, raffia palms, and wild date palms. You will spot chameleons, elephant shrews, and bush babies if you are lucky. You will certainly spot the friendly monkeys, which you are not supposed to touch, but which will reach out for you. They are just as interested in the visitors as the visitors are in them.

Spice Plantations

There are several spice plantations that are open to visitors; book a tour through your hotel, and you will learn so much. Even if you are a keen cook, you will be amazed by the cinnamon, ginger, lemongrass, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, curry leaves, and many more kitchen staples that grow here. You’ll also find coconut, jackfruit, durian, guava, papaya, and 10 species of banana.

Day Trip to Prison Island

Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is a historic site off the coast of Tanzania with ancient ruins and giant tortoises. Prison Island earned its name due to its historical use as a detention center for rebellious slaves in the 19th century. You can go on a Zanzibar Prison Island Boat Trip for about $60 or opt for the Spice Tour + Stone Town Tour + Prison Island at about $120 .

Shopping In Stone Town

In addition to the markets and the ubiquitous street stalls, Stone Town has superb shopping. The whole town is an interior decorator’s dream come true.

Gizenga Street is filled with art galleries selling native Tingatinga paintings and shops selling African carvings, colorful kangas, and Maasai beaded jewelry. The area around Shangani Street has a few more up-market souvenir shops.

5. The Best Restaurants In Zanzibar

The tea house at the emerson on hurumzi hotel.

Formerly the Emerson and Green, the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel offers typical Zanzibari food at The Tea House nightly. A small and cozy place on the roof terrace with fab views, you will sample the best Zanzibar’s food scene can offer here.

Forodhani Gardens

Forget restaurants and head to the Forodhani Gardens night market to sample Zanzibari street food. From freshly caught and grilled fish and shrimp to the Zanzibar pizza (a cross between an omelet and a pancake) you get extremely inexpensive and interesting food with a superb setting and atmosphere thrown in.

Did you know that Freddy Mercury was born in Zanzibar? Mercury’s , the bar named after him, is right next to the dhow harbor and not only offers great cocktails, but fabulous seats for the famous Zanzibari sunsets.

The Rock Restaurant

Sitting on a rock just offshore the Indian Ocean, about 20 minutes from Paje, this charming, tiny exclusive restaurant has become a world-famous icon of the island. You can reach the Rock Restaurant by a small boat when the tide is in, or simply walk to it at low tide.

It’s best to go at lunchtime because in the evening it is too dark to appreciate this unique setting. The food may be more expensive than in most places on the island, but the experience is unforgettable.

Pro Tip: With only 12 tables, it’s often fully booked, so reserve your spot well in advance.

6. The Best Places To Stay In Zanzibar

The serena inn.

The Serena Inn is a luxurious hotel in the place to be in Stone Town. Perfect for sunset drinks on the terrace, great shopping just steps away, and all the conveniences you could wish for after a day’s dusty exploring.

Emerson On Hurumzi Hotel

Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel is my personal favorite. It’s a converted townhouse right in the heart of old Stone Town with a roof terrace, from which you can look out over the higgledy-piggledy roofs of the city all the way to the ocean. Superb personal service and gorgeous interior design.

Breezes Beach Club

Along the coast of Zanzibar, you can find accommodations ranging from five-star luxury resorts to hostels, but for a nice resort, not too pricey but with all the amenities and a great spa, Breezes Beach Club and Spa is a good choice. Plenty of water sports and activities, including scuba diving and snorkeling, are available, but it still remains a relatively small and cozy place.

7. Go on a Dhow Cruise

Taking a two-hour or a three-hour dhow cruise from Nungwi is a splendid way to spend an afternoon in Zanzibar. When timed properly, your cruise will end just after sunset so that you can enjoy the spectacle from the dhow.

Located on the northern tip of Unguja Island, the village of Nungwi is the traditional hub for dhow building, and you can still find craftsmen at the beach making these unique vessels.

When it comes to choosing a traditional dhow boat cruise, you can choose between a private or a group ride. Drinks are usually included in the price.

Is Zanzibar Safe To Visit?

Yes, Zanzibar is one of the safest African destinations, even for solo lady travelers.

Zanzibar Islands are part of Tanzania, one of the most stable African countries. Tanzania ranks first among the most peaceful countries in East Africa.

Are There Sharks in Zanzibar?

Yes, but they are harmless reef sharks. You can also swim with whale sharks which are safe to swim and dive with. There have been no shark attacks recorded in the Zanzibar archipelago even though great white sharks are occasionally spotted in the deep waters.

Is Zanzibar Expensive?

The answer is no. Zanzibar offers a wide range of accommodation and activities and as a result, arranging a budget Zanzibar holiday shouldn’t pose a problem. Zanzibar features pristine white sand beaches and stunning diving locations but at a fraction of the cost of what you’d pay to go to the Maldives.

Can I Drink Alcohol in Zanzibar?

Yes. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol for devotees, but as a visitor, you can drink alcohol. Restaurants, hotels, and resorts all lean toward the tastes of travelers and serve alcohol. Just avoid drunken behavior, don’t carry, and don’t drink alcohol openly in public.

Is Zanzibar Good for Honeymoons?

It certainly is. Zanzibar is one of the world’s best honeymoon destinations. The combination of picture-perfect beaches, sunny weather, and secluded resorts of Zanzibar make it a very sought-after romantic getaway. The laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals add to it being the ideal honeymoon setting.

A travel writer and guidebook author for the last 20 years, Ulrike's work has been seen in National Geographic , BBC , The Independent , Australian Women's Weekly , The Telegraph , The Australian , Fodor's , France Today , CNN Travel , Lonely Planet , Travel + Leisure , CNTraveler , numerous inflight magazines, and many others.

She has written three books for Moon Travel Guides: 'Living Abroad in Australia' (3rd edition), 'Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef', and the shorter version 'Spotlight Sydney' and are all available in print and as e-books.

Having lived in seven countries (Germany, UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Australia, and France) to date and traveled to more than 100, she specializes in writing about travel, art and architecture, expat living, and life and style.

22 Incredible Things to Do in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar will always hold a special place in my heart.

This was the destination in which I chose to celebrate my 30th birthday. I could have picked anywhere in the world and yet, there was something about Zanzibar that called to me.

This paradise island has been a destination for spice traders for years and it’s resulted in a smorgasbord of cultures as vibrant as the nearby coral reefs.

On land, there’s influences from multiple angles, from Portuguese colonial architecture to Omani imperialism. It plays out in the local markets, which serve up authentic treats from around the globe — and yes, they’re jam-packed full of spices.

But while historic Stone Town and the charming fishing villages are all about the architecture and culture, it’s the white sand beaches and endless blue ocean that will linger in your memory.  

It was all of that that led me to visit Zanzibar: the food, the spices, the culture, the beaches, the markets, and more. I loved it.

Zanzibar has so much to offer its visitors and you could spend weeks here without getting bored. Today, I’m excited to be sharing all of my favourite things.

Explore Stone Town

Zanzibar’s history goes back over 20,000 years. It’s vast and rich. But the most tangible part of its history began with explorers and traders, who journeyed between East Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The best example of this is within Zanzibar’s Stone Town.

Stone Town makes up the western tip of the island. Its sheltered location quickly turned it from a humble fishing village to a prominent trading post. Its merchant history has led Stone Town to have an abundance of cultural influences that connect to many parts of the Indian Ocean and Europe.

Over time, a vast range of diverse buildings dotted the town, offering a mix of African, colonial and Arabic designs. It’s a major reason Stone Stone became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. 

After arriving in Stone Town, get about on foot and explore the maze of narrow streets that leads to surprises around every corner. With many historic buildings slowly fading, it brings a whole other meaning to Stone Town. Complete the experience by spending time at Zanzibar’s national museum, the House of Wonders and the Arab Fort.

Go Scuba Diving

With its position slightly south of the Equator, the balmy, clear and calm waters surrounding Zanzibar make for the perfect scuba diving destination. This place is paradise, both above and below the water, with the sparkling turquoise ocean leading to vibrant corals and schools of tropical fish. 

If you’re short on time, then the hardest part will be narrowing down where to dive! You could easily spend a whole week just venturing between all of the popular spots and still be left wanting more. With that being said, let’s explore two of the best scuba diving spots around Zanzibar.

The Mnemba Island Atoll is a marine conservation area that surrounds Mnemba Island. An atoll is essentially a barrier reef that forms a ring around an island, providing a natural lagoon. It makes for exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving with kaleidoscopic colors rivaled only by the prismatic fish. As you dive, keep an eye out for moray eels, seahorses and green turtles.

For something closer, check out Paje Beach, whose translucent water creates an underwater playground where you cans swim among turtles, starfish and eels without jumping on a boat. 

Have a beach day at Nungwi Beach

On Zanzibar’s northwest coast, you’ll discover the charming village of Nungwi. The town has long been a beloved destination among adventure travelers who have fallen in love with the town’s quaint personality and proximity to snow white sand.

Nungwi Beach has previously been rated as one of the best beaches in the world. While the atmosphere has changed somewhat from its idyllic beginnings, it remains at the forefront of Zanzibar’s paradisaical personality.

The sand is as soft as a marshmallow and leads to the island’s patented blue sea. The water stays shallow for a great distance, allowing you to walk out, sit down on the sand and watch the world go by. 

Nungwi continues to be the heart of shipbuilding on the island. It’s one aspect that makes the surrounding village a delight to explore. From your spot on the sand, you’ll likely see traditional dhow boats come and go. You can learn all about the town’s boat building heritage, visit the beach and even join a sunset cruise on this Nungwi experience .

Sail a Dhow

A dhow is a sailing vessel that has been a part of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea for centuries. History suggests it all began in China before spreading westward, but today the building of dhows is mostly restricted to East Africa. As you travel around the region, you’ll have several opportunities, including in Mozambique. But who could pass up a dhow trip around the waters of Zanzibar?

If you’re up early, you’ll see the local crafts coming in from their morning fish, ready to stock the local markets with fresh produce. Many of the dhows also remain available for tours, private charters and the aforementioned sunset cruise. 

Boats depart from most of the major towns around Zanzibar throughout the day. Each will have something different to offer, from a party experience where the booze flows like Victoria Falls to a beach hopping journey. But if you’re traveling with your partner, enjoy this private cruise , that takes you to multiple islands, with wine, lunch and snorkeling included.

Visit Prison Island

Otherwise known as Changgu, Prison Island is a beloved destination among beach bums. The small island is almost entirely dense forests encased in white sand. It’s minutes on boat away from Stone Town, making it the perfect day trip. 

Along with effervescent water and coral that can be seen from your spot on the beach, you’ll find dozens of giant turtles. These majestic creatures were brought to the island by Seychelles. There are estimates that some of the turtles are over 150 years old.

Admire them from afar while as you explore the entirety of the island before spending plenty of time cooling off in the baby blue water. Such is the tranquility that it’s hard to fathom how the island got its unofficial name. It was here in the 1800s that escaped slaves were brought after being recaptured.

Explore the history of Stone Town before jetting over to Prison Island on this day trip .

Check out the Darajani Market

Zanzibar has a long history of trade, especially with spices such as pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. The tradition continues on to this day through the many local markets. The best of them is the Darajani Market. 

This bazaar was established in 1904 and is the centerpiece of Stone Town. You’ll spend so much time relaxing and swimming that you’ll can easily forget about the bustle within the historic heart of Zanzibar. So take a deep breath before venturing into the lion’s den.

The Darajani Market covers all bases. You can find tech replacements, sim cards and phones alongside home decor and cooking tools. But most appropriate for the wandering traveler is the produce. The market has no shortage of spices, fresh baked goods, meat and vegetables. The most thrilling time to go is early in the morning when the market holds its boisterous fish auction. 

Walk up and down the aisles, interacting where you can. You’ll also find plenty of surrounding street carts to keep you well fed throughout.

Kitesurf at Paje Beach

Split between the villages of Bwejuu and Jambiani, Paje Beach is a kitesurfing haven. The beach is on the island’s southeast coast and, despite also offering exceptional scuba diving, remains much quieter than the popular northern beaches. That means more room for you, as you try to get a hang of this kitesurfing thing.

The beach has an outer reef that provides a natural lagoon. This helps to mitigate swell, allowing for beginners to get up to speed without the constant threat of barreling waves. In addition to the calm conditions, you can rely on their being a handy side wide throughout the year, providing the perfect conditions for you to zip along the beach and back again.

Beyond the sand, you’ll find plenty of schools and rental shops that cater to all skill levels. Paje Beach’s active personality flows onto the nearby streets, which features a lively backpacker atmosphere and some chill beachside bars.

Explore Jozani National Park

A brief trip from Paje Beach is the beautiful Jozani National Park. Despite Zanzibar being 45% national park, only one of those is actually on land, making Jozani a must visit. Away from the dazzling coral and marine life, explore the other side of Zanzibar’s natural paradise.

The national park is open from 7.30am to 5.00pm daily and includes a small entrance fee. The price of admission also comes with a quick guided tour that helps you understand the lush forest, home to fluttering birds and a community of monkeys.

After the tour, you can explore the park along an elevated boardwalk that takes you through the forests into mangrove habitat. Along the way, keep your eye out for the rare red colobus monkey. Not because they’re hard to spot, but because they aren’t shy and may give you a fright as they swing along the path. 

If you’re heading to Paje Beach, consider exploring Jozani National Park beforehand to avoid the park’s midday foot traffic.

Visit the Old Slave Market

The qualities that led to Zanzibar becoming such a prominent part of the spice trade are the same reasons the island played such a prominent role in the Slave Trade. In Bagamoyo, on mainland Tanzania, thousands of slaves were trafficked, sent to Zanzibar before being sold. From there, slaves were sent to Europe, Egypt and the Middle East. 

At the heart of this was the Slave Market. It was the last permanent slave market in East Africa when it closed in 1873. It is certainly a somber site and greatly contrasts to the vibrant community and beautiful scenery. But the market and the slave trade is a key reason for the island’s diversity, both in people, cuisine and architecture.

The market is now a part of the museum. Visitors can tour the chambers that held the slaves in the lead up to their auction. The room comprised a 12 by 12 foot (3.6mx3.6m) basement that could cram in up to 30 people. Afterwards, pay a visit to the David Livingstone home, a man who was a vital figure in Zanzibar stopping to slave trade.

Peruse the Night Market

There’s no shortage of great street food on Zanzibar’s main island. But for a congregation of street carts and vendors, get along to Forodhani Gardens. The market is close to the Darajani Market within Stone Town. While mostly brick pavement and trees, the gardens come to life at sunset, presenting the best Night Market in Zanzibar.

The gardens are right by the water, offering beautiful views as you wander. You’ll find every kind of local food on offer in one helpful spot, making it an easy way to experience Zanzibar cuisine. With the falling sun painting the sky with pinks and reds, explore the entire market seeing which dish takes your fancy. As always, with markets and food carts, a line is your friend.

Some of the popular eats in Forodhani Park showcase the island’s range of culinary influence. You could easily find samosas, kebabs, and pizzas lined up alongside each other. The pizza is the most intriguing, as Zanzibar pizza is essentially a thin pancake with every topping option under the sun.

You can choose between a range of sweets, chocolate and fruit for a dessert “pizza” or go for the savory option to create your classic slice. Either way, wash it down with some fresh sugarcane juice.

Head to Jambiani

On the east coast, Jambiani is a delightful fishing village that has been affected little by the winds of change. Alongside Nungwi, it’s one of the villages you must visit during your Zanzibar experience. The low-key village offers a window into the life of Zanzibar without resorts and tourism. When the sun rises, locals return in dugout canoes full of fish and the kids wake early to play football on the sand.

As you walk around town, you’ll discover the traditional thatch roof and coral stone homes where friendly locals smile and wave as you go by. Authentic life continues on as always, providing a great example of the powers of sustainable travel. 

By yourself, one on a guided tour, explore the small coastal town watching the fishermen go to work before seeing Jambiani’s herb and seaweed farms. At the height of day, locals play cards under the shady trees and the village goes quiet. As it cools off, town life picks up again.

Swim in a Cave

With all the stunning beaches and off shore diving to enjoy around Zanzibar, it’s easy to overlook this underrated gem. In Jambiani, you’ll be a quick walk away from Kuza Caves, which also features a cultural center. 

While not free (10 USD), your visit will include a guide who will take you down to the cave, explaining the history of this natural wonder as you walk. A brief trail snakes through a dense jungle before arriving at the opening. 

The caves were formed as a result of a major earthquake that caused the rocks beneath the surface to fall. This opened a large space that’s now filled with crystal clear water. For centuries, it was a major part of local spirituality, ceremonies were held and the water was known to grant wishes.

The part of local culture has fallen by the wayside, but the cave has lost none of its magical aura. The refreshing turquoise water contrasts with the dark cave walls, creating mysterious lighting effects. You can easily spend a few hours enjoying the revitalizing water before heading up to the cultural center. Here, you can take cooking classes, watch locals make handicrafts and listen to live music.

Take a Trip to Pemba

30 miles (50km) northeast of Zanzibar is the tranquil island of Pemba. Having seen little tourism development, the island has long stretches of untamed coastline, picturesque fishing villages and ruins from long gone eras. Accommodation is limited, however, if getting off the proverbial map is the goal, you can do a lot worse.

There is one resort that’s worth shelling out for, and that’s the island iconic Manta Resort. This hotel floats out on the deep blue ocean, allowing you to literally dive from your living room. There is even a basement that is under the water where you can sleep alongside tropical fish.

Resort aside, being so close to impeccable reefs, Pemba is most known for its spectacular diving. The area is a part of the Pemba Channel Conservation Area, where you’ll explore a marine world home to 300 unique species and vast coral gardens. You’ll enjoy visibility of up to 130 feet (40m) with some of the best sites being Manta Point, the Fundu Reef and Njao Gap.

Go for a Bike Ride

Making your way around the island on local transport is always exciting and chaotic. But in the rush of movement, the experience becomes all about the destination. To slow things down a bit and see the island at your own pace, ditch vans and scooters and hire a bicycle.

While you could attempt to ride around the entire island in a day, it’s best suited to smaller trips that bite off decent chunks of the beautiful island. A popular route takes you south from the fishing village of Nungwi to Matemwe on the east coast. Ride by ancient Portuguese ruins from the 1500s, blacksmiths and boatbuilding sites, with the chance to stop by a coastal cave filled with coral.

Upon arriving at Matemwe, you’ll find yourself in a place that’s even more slow-paced that Nungwi. Ride along the coast, watching the blue and white waves crash down on the powdery sand. In town, is also another cave that played a role in early communities. The Kiwenga Caves are filled with crystallized stalactites, where locals would come and worship.

Watch a Sunset at Kendwa Beach

Around the corner from Nungwi, on the northwest coast, is one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Where other beaches around the island have large tides that expose the beach’s rocky surface, Kendwa Beach comes with a minimal change of tides. Meaning it’s picture perfect all day long.

The wide open beach is backed by several resorts, ensuring the golden sand remains clean. With so much space, you also won’t have issue finding your own patch of sand on those busier days. The swimming is calm and colorful with ample opportunity to spot colorful starfish.

But it’s the sunsets at Kendwa Beach that are the real highlight. Facing due west, you’ll enjoy an uninhibited golden hour. The resort and local bars have tapped into the spectacular views and create a fun party atmosphere that then extends into the nightlife around the area. 

Once a month the hotel, Kenwa Rocks, hosts a full moon party. But sans buckets full of booze and glow sticks, it’s one party you can enjoy without canceling tomorrow’s plans. Mingle with fellow travelers and resident with local beats floating through the air. 

Enjoy the Nightlife

Following up on the Full Moon Party, Zanzibar has a wide-ranging nightlife that extends from popular sundowners to happening dance clubs. An evening on the island can be as relaxed or adventurous as you like. 

Sunsets never get old and Zanzibar sure knows how to throw an unforgettable golden hour. The island has a strong sundowner culture, where everyone heads to their local bar with a view, grabs a drink and enjoys the show. Some of the best places to take in the sunset with a cocktail in hand is Africa House Hotel. The historic colonial building offers amazing views, so get in early to grab a front-row seat. Other options include 6 Degrees South and Gerry’s Bar.

Stone Town lies at the heart of the island’s most raucous nightlife. There is a strong concentration of bars and clubs that allow you to be social or dance all night long. The Garage Club offers international DJs that will get your hips moving. 

Join a Spice Tour 

When it comes time to leave Zanzibar, high up on the memory shelf alongside the sunset cruises and scuba diving, will be the spice tour. There’s an abundance of these tours that will explore what was once the center of the spice trade.

Beyond the tales from past eras, the most insightful aspect of the experience will be learning about how spices are created. Most produce is self explanatory, but with spices there’s a layer of mystery. Many tours will begin with a visit to a local farm that will showcase the many fruits and spices grown on the island, complete with a tasting.

With such fertile soil, there’s plenty of these farms on Zanzibar. Most congregate on the outskirts of Stone Town within the Masingini Forest. The farms are set up to encourage tourism, with a front section growing all sorts of plants in close proximity. Don’t be surprised if the farm grows around 50 different kinds of spices to go along with dozens of fruit.

Experience all that and more with this spice tour departing from Stone Town. 

Sunbathe at Bwejuu Beach 

There’s no end to the magical beaches around Zanzibar, but the last of the one in our guide is the wondrous Bwejuu Beach. Near Paje Beach and an hour from Stone Town, Bwejuu is as peaceful as it is stunning.

The beach is within one of the quietest parts of the island and its wide expanse of cloud white sand will provide you with ample privacy. Looking down the coast, the sand acts like a bridge between the endless rows of swaying palm trees and the electric blue ocean.

From the moment you step onto the beach, you’ll feel at ease. Dhow boats rock back and forth on the water’s surface and snorkel gear bobs up and down. It’s a great place to come and waste a day swimming, sunbathing and reading. A block back from the beach are bars and restaurants for when you’re peckish, along with the cozy village of Bwejuu. 

Visit the Palace Museum

The Palace Museum was originally the home of Sultan Seyyid Said. The palace was occupied right up to the day of the 1964 revolution, which overthrew the Sultan and led to Zanzibar becoming a part of Tanzania.

The palace is within Stone Town and is a beguiling site. The sprawling castellated complex is right on the waterfront between the House of Wonders and the historic Old Dispensary. It was built towards the end of the 1800s, on the site of the previously destroyed Bait As-Sahel Palace.

Shortly after the Zanzibar Revolution, the palace became a parliamentary seat and remained as such for 30 years. In 1994, the palace was transformed into a museum that explores the country’s royal past. Learn about sultans and princesses, check out their period furniture, clothing and relics relating to their powerful lives.

Have Dinner at The Rock Restaurant

The Rock restaurant is one of the most interesting places to eat in Zanzibar. The fascinating restaurant is set upon a rock and, at high tide, it becomes an island just off the shore. You’ll find the restaurant on the southeast coast, not far from some of the island’s best beaches. 

The rock which holds up the restaurant rises out of the sand and sea, curling to each side. This provides the platform on which trees grow and delicious food is served. The Rock Restaurant specializes in amazing seafood and you can’t put a price on the captivating views.

If you’re seeking a place to wine and dine your partner, then you won’t find a better place.

Catch a Show at the Arab Fort

On your leisurely strolls around Stone Town, you will have come across the historic Arab Fort. The fort was built by Omani Arabs in the 1600s, shortly after they defeated the Portuguese and took control of the island. It then became an important part of their defense system, with several battlements.

The fort would go on to wear many hates over the following four centuries, including as a gruesome prison, a railway depot and even as a tennis club for local women. After the revolution, it ceased to be used. But alongside the palace, it found new life in the 1990s with a part of it becoming home to an open-air theater.

The amphitheater makes use of the fort’s beauty and integrates well into the original design. The Arab Fort now holds regular events from traditional to modern music, plays and dance along with the Zanzibar International Film Festival, the largest in East Africa.

Experience the Festivals

Speaking of the film festival, Zanzibar plays host to three major events every year. The other two are the Sauti za Busara and the Zanzibar Beach and Watersports Festival.

Sauti za Busara takes place every year in February and is a lively music festival. The event occurs in Stone Town and celebrates music from all over Africa. It’s held over multiple days and attracts crowds in the thousands to what is the friendliest festival on the planet.

The watersport festival is held in Jambiani each September. It’s a community festival with a variety of competitions but with live music and plenty of food stalls, there’s as much fun to be had on dry land.

Related Articles on Tanzania 🏖 How to Visit Zanzibar on a Budget 🇹🇿 The Cost of Travel in Tanzania (2023): A Detailed Budget Breakdown 🌶 Why You Must Take a Spice Tour in Zanzibar ✈️ A Ridiculous Introduction to Travel in Tanzania

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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The Cost of Travel in Zanzibar: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Going to be travelling to Zanzibar in October after our Safari in Kenya. Looks really good. Thanks for the info.

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The Ultimate Zanzibar Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

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• Last Updated On: September 10, 2023

Zanzibar has a very rich history and was once one of the most important areas in East Africa. Following Vasco de Gama’s visit in 1499, Zanzibar was ruled by the Portuguese and remained this way for almost two centuries.

Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Africa and with good reasons. Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.

I spent numerous months traveling around Zanzibar as you can read in my detailed cost of living breakdown of Zanzibar . I stayed in numerous areas all over the island, really allowing me to get a feel of the place. This guide will serve to give an overview of all the things you need to know about traveling here!

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How to get to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is easily accessible from the world now. It’s built itself as the premier beach destination in East Africa and it’s accessibility proves it. It’s not as upscale as the Seychelles and positions itself as a place both budget and luxury travelers can visit.

Zanzibar island is well connected by international flights around the world. Qatar flies direct from Doha allowing travelers from Europe and America to easily visit. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has directs flights from Addis Ababa to Zanzibar allowing for easy international connections. Flights are getting cheaper by the day and it’s easy to use miles nowadays to book trips to Zanzibar. 

From Tanzania, you can quickly reach Zanzibar by air from popular places like Kilimanjaro and Arusha. If you’re staying deep in the Serengeti like Seronera, you can take direct flights to Zanzibar.

Take the ferry to Zanzibar

If you are traveling through Tanzania and on a tight budget (or just want to take a ferry on the high seas), there are regular ferry services from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar. This is a popular way to get to the island as it’s fast and cheaper than a flight. While flights will be roughly $60-80 one way, the ferry is half the cost.

From Dar Es Salaam’s main port, there are four ferries a day making this trip. The ferries are mostly newer with plenty of outdoor space allowing you to stretch out and enjoy the views. They seem to make new ferries every few years and on my recent trip in 2020, the ferry took 1h 45min to make the trip from Dar to Stone Town .

When you purchase your ticket in Dar Es Salaam, just make sure to reject the swarms of people that will offer to take your bag to the ferry. This is unnecessary and although they’re trying to make a living, you don’t need anyone to take your bags. The ferry terminal is pretty standard with a waiting room that you can absolutely get to yourself.

Entry Visas

As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is subject to the same visa and entry requirements of the mainland. For most Western travelers, you will need a visa to enter Zanzibar/Tanzania.

The entry visa can be:

• Purchased on arrival at the airport. The cost of this is $50 for every nationality besides the US which is $100.
• Purchased online as an e-visa before arrival

In recent years, you can even pay for the visas by using a credit card ! No need to pay using USD cash anymore.

When to visit Zanzibar – best time of year

Zanzibar enjoys warm weather year round. The sun is strong and all your tropical beach dreams will be fulfilled here. Nevertheless, there are some times that are better than others. Here is a breakdown of the seasons in Zanzibar.

High Season: June to October

Right after the stormy season, starting from June is when the high season begins. This time of year sees cooler temperatures but almost no rainfall. It’s popular as many people will visit the Serengeti during this time to witness the Great Migration and come to Zanzibar for beach time afterwards.

Second High Season: Dec to Feb

December to February is the next high season. The temperatures are much warmer during these months and there’s a general low amount of rainfall. This is also the high season for winds which makes places like Paje extremely popular for kitesurfers.

Rainy Season: Mar to May

The big rainy season in Zanzibar is between March and May. During this time, lots of the resorts close down as you can see torrential downpours for weeks on end. Many of the people I spoke with said this time of year sees almost no tourists but it’s a welcome reprieve from the unbearable heat in the months prior.

November is the “small rainy season” where you can see spotty rain showers at various points of the day. I actually spent a month in Zanzibar during this month and did not find it bad at all. Sure there were some days where it rained, but for the most part, it was sunny and beautiful throughout my trip.

Different areas of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a huge island. From north to south it is over 200km and 100km from east to west. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to explore the whole island on a trip if you have anything under a month.

If you’re visiting just to go to a resort for a week or less, it’s likely you’ll stay in one area and never leave that part of Zanzibar. Having spent over a month on the island, I was able to explore most of the island without much effort.

For the most part, Zanzibar is beautiful all around. You will find beautiful beaches, stunning properties and picturesque ocean views everywhere.

The capital of Zanzibar is where everyone will start off. Whether you fly or take a ferry, you will stop in Stone Town. Whether you choose to spend a night or two in the vibrant capital is up to you. If you’re looking for beautiful tropical beaches, this is not the place.

The town is worth a night or two in my opinion if you have the time on your trip.

Nungwi and Kendwa

Located in the far north, Nungwi and Kendwa have in my opinion the most beautiful beaches on the island. The tides are not so extreme and you don’t see the crazy amounts of seaweed and sea urchins that you will find elsewhere. Think of stunning blue beaches and white sand for as far as you can see.

Nungwi is also home to all the huge luxury resorts. If you’re keen for upscale all inclusive 5* resorts with beautiful beaches, Nungwi is your place. Resorts like the Riu, Zuri, and Gemma will satisfy all your desires. Nungwi gets very busy during the high season. In recent years, it’s become somewhat of the party spot. In addition to ultra luxury resorts, there are plenty of budget options here which has kind of turned it into the Phuket equivalent of East Africa.

Kendwa, the town just south of Nungwi is a great option if you want to enjoy the same beaches without the big crowds of people. Both options are prime for enjoying sunsets as the areas in the east, while beautiful, don’t enjoy such things!

Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, and the northeast

Matemwe is an area in the northeast of Zanzibar. It’s roughly 1.5 hours from the Stone Town airport by car.

Matemwe is known to be a chilled out beach side area with a collection of boutique hotels. Unlike Nungwi with its huge resorts, there are few standalone restaurants here and no huge hotels. It’s much more chilled, laid back, and offers beautiful views of the beach. Being on the east side, the beaches here have huge high and low tides.

During low tide, the beach extends 500m out to where the reef breaks. It’s fascinating watching the tides come in and out twice a day. I stayed at a beautiful Boutique resort called Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas which had Makuti style bungalows right in front of the beach.

It’s also the launching point to visit the famous Mnemba Atoll which is the private island off the coast of Zanzibar. This beautiful island is home to a protected Marine park and is home to endless options for scuba diving/snorkeling.

Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi in the southeast

In the southeast of Zanzibar is another very popular area for tourists to stay. This part of Zanzibar has perhaps the best beaches outside of Nungwi. The tides are extremely dramatic but the beaches are mostly sand as opposed to corals and urchins in the north.

Paje is the biggest town here and is the kitesurfing capital of Zanzibar. The winds blow east to west here almost the entire year. Nearby towns like Jambiani, Bwejuu, and Michamvi are also crowd favorites.

The most famous restaurant in Zanzibar, The Rock , is located in this peninsula. It’s well worth the visit if you decide to stay here!

How to get around Zanzibar

Zanzibar being a huge island requires planning to get from place to place. If you’re only staying for a few days, it’s unlikely you’ll need to read up on this because you’ll likely just take a taxi to your resort and call it a day. Here are some general price ranges for taxis that I found from taking taxis all over the island.

Note that these are just broad estimates. Your ability to negotiate and the desperation of your cab driver on the day will dictate your fee. Alternatively, ask your accommodation what they can offer. If you are booking a hotel with a super fancy resort, expect to pay much more than if you’re staying at a more personalized guesthouse.

Stone Town to Matemwe: $30-40

Stone Town to Nungwi: $40-50

Stone Town to Paje: $30-$40

Stone Town to Kiwengwa: $30-$40

Nungwi to Paje: $50-60

Paje to Michamvi: $10-$15

Matemwe or Kiwengwa to Nungwi: $25-30

Budget traveling in Zanzibar

For those that aren’t keen on taxis, then know that Zanzibar is serviced primarily by dala dalas which are the local forms of transport. Think old school hippie style vans. These are common throughout Africa and are the preferred method to get around for those on budgets. Some dala dalas are just trucks with the trunk converted as seating.

This method will be significantly cheaper than taking a taxi and especially useful if you’re a solo traveler. For example, Stone Town to Paje or Stone Town to Nungwi is roughly $2. Of course, with cheaper prices, you can expect it to be much slower. I’d budget for at a dala dala to take 2x as long as a taxi given how often it must stop to pick up and drop off people.

Which areas do I like the most?

Having spent much time on this island, I’ve been able to visit most of the areas. For most tourists, it’s likely you’ll stay at one hotel and stay in that area for the duration of your stay.

It’s not so feasible to just rent a car in Stone Town and cruise around the island. I’ve heard of some people doing this, but the police road blocks on the island make it less than ideal. However, if you are stuck on where to concentrate your efforts, then hopefully this part will help.

If you want the most beautiful beaches

The best beaches in Zanzibar are in the Nungwi and Kendwa area in my opinion. Paje and the area in the southeast are also very beautiful.

If you like the big 5* all inclusive resorts

If you are keen for the big luxury resorts with multiple pools, big dining areas, and fancy common areas, then I think Nungwi will be your best bet. The beaches are fantastic here but the all inclusive style resorts here are big and luxurious.

Recommended Hotels

• Riu Palace Nungwi All Inclusive
• Zuri Zanzibar

If you like boutique hotels on the beach

If you fancy upscale or midscale boutique hotels with beautiful beach views and luxurious accommodations but with few people, then my favorite areas are Matemwe and the southeast. The area of Michamvi is the boutique hotel capital in my opinion. Bwejuu, Paje, Jambiani all have really nice hotels as well.

The beaches here are also very nice in this part of the island.

• Zawadi Boutique Hotel (The Ultimate hotel)
• Matlai Boutique Hotel
• Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas
• Jua Retreat

If you want cheap accommodation

The beauty of Zanzibar is that it is quite developed for tourism and there are budget options in almost every part of the island. However, I’d say the cheapest places you can find accommodations are in Nungwi, Paje, and of course Stone Town.

• MITI Beach bungalows
• Villa Kiota
• Baladin Hotel
• Michamvi Spirit Lodge

How much do things cost in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a big island and has been really developed for tourism in the past decade. Zanzibar offers a variety of accommodation options throughout its 2,500 square km of space.

Whether you’re a luxury honeymooner with an unlimited budget or a budget backpacker, there are options available for everyone.

Africa in general is an expensive area to travel around so right off the bat, I would temper your expectations if you’re a budget traveler with ideas of Southeast Asia or Central American prices. It is much more expensive here and you will not find delicious $1 pad Thai on the streets.

There is not much a of a street food scene in Zanzibar that compares to that of Asia. For the most part, you’ll visit tourist centric restaurants run by locals or tourist centric restaurants run by foreigners. The price for a main dish of grilled calamari with rice will be around $6-$10.

There are some restaurants that are part of hotels and the more upscale that hotel is, you can expect to pay more. Local beers like Serengeti and Safari can be had for about $3 for a 500ml bottle and liquor based drinks are slightly more.

Of course, local prices will be lower than this but you will need to find the local spots which are always away from the main beach area.

Zanzibar is an island through and through

Zanzibar is a beautifl tropical island and feels like it. The different areas of Zanzibar are all tourist focused and life mostly revolves around the hotels and resorts. This means, there isn’t much life outside of the beach and hotels surrounding them. The exception is of course in Stone Town which is a proper city.

Zanzibar is large in size but you won’t really travel much between the different towns. You can rent a scooter yes but there are so many police checkpoints that will probably force you to pay bribes that it isn’t a feasible option to travel around.

Zanzibar is very different than say Bali which is also an island with a village like vibe in places like Canggu and Pererenan but offers total first world amenities like trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and the like. If you’re a digital nomad looking to spend extended time in one place, I would highly recommend Bali over Zanzibar . The infrastructure on Bali is much more developed and the cost of living in Bali is half of what it would be on Zanzibar.

The currency in Zanzibar

Zanzibar uses the Tanzania Shilling (TZS). For almost all tourist centric hotel, prices will be quoted to you in dollars to keep things simple. While you’re at the resort, costs of services and goods will also be in USD. If you stay in a more rustic guesthouse or backpackers spot, it’s more likely you’ll see prices in Shillings.

If you dine outside your resort at a local restaurant, you can expect to pay in shillings. In essence, locals mostly always use shillings so it’s good to have some Tanzanian cash on you.

Hotels mostly accept credit cards but expect to pay a surcharge of 4-5%. Restaurants and bars outside of a big resort are mostly on a cash basis.

ATM Fees are outrageous

One thing that really stood out to me was just how crazy the costs of using ATMs are. They must be some of the most expensive ATMs I’ve ever seen.

Having traveled in Zanzibar for over a month, I had to visit the ATMs numerous times because many things are done in cash. ATMs are extremely pricey, with fees ranging from $6-9 per use!

Even worse, the ATMs cap out at 400,000 shillings which is $180. This won’t get you very far if you need to pay hotel bills in cash! You will need to visit the ATM numerous times and pay that fee each time. If you do not have a no fee debit card like Charles Schwab (US readers only sadly), then you should look into bringing USD or EUR cash and exchanging them in Stone Town.

Diving and Snorkeling in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a paradise for lovers of underwater life. I spent many days diving in Zanzibar so I have lots of advice to offer. Although Zanzibar doesn’t compare to the diving I did on the nearby islands of Mafia Island and Pemba Island , it will offer vacation goers with more than enough to satisfy.

As Zanzibar is a huge island, there are numerous areas to scuba dive in. Depending on where you stay (refer to the sections above), it will likely dictate where you can dive. For example, if you are staying in Nungwi, it’s unlikely you’ll want to go scuba diving in the southeast area of Paje. The drive alone would be almost 2 hours each way.

Mnemba Atoll

The most popular place in Zanzibar to scuba dive and snorkel is without a doubt the Mnemba Atoll . Located in Zanzibar’s northeast, this is a stunning marine park with crystal blue waters and loads of underwater life. It’s incredibly popular and everyone staying in the area like Nungwi , Kiwengwa, or Matemwe will be able to visit this area for a day of underwater activities.

The diving here, while popular, is not that great. The corals have been bleached to hell and there’s a ridiculous amount of over tourism. It’s completely packed full of people on all days making it not so enjoyable.

Diving in the southeast area of Paje

I dove in the southeast with Rising Sun divers while staying at the beautiful Zawadi Resort . This area is by far the most beautiful diving in Zanzibar. It’s undiscovered and untouched by the other dive shops making it a much more enjoyable experience.

Activities in Zanzibar

As you’d expect, there is as an endless amount of things to do in Zanzibar. Once you’re tired of laying on the beach, you can choose to do a variety of different tours from all around the island. I can’t list all of them because I don’t know all of them.

If you walk through Stone Town, you’ll find a huge list of activities that all the tour agents offer and the price is of course negotiable. While extremely popular, I would actually recommend a visit to one of the spice farms in Zanzibar . It seemed like a super touristy thing to do but I found it to be so educational and interesting, I did it twice!

Other than that, here are a list of things that are popular to do in Zanzibar:

• Mnemba Island visit
• Dolphin Swim tour (this is an ethically terrible tour so don’t do it)
• Prison Island tour
• Safari blue day trip
• Scuba Diving (all over the island)
• Snorkeling (literally everywhere)
• Jozani Forest to see the primates
• A visit to the Rock restaurant
• Kitesurfing in Paje
• Low tide reef tour
• Parasailing in Nungwi
• Dhow cruises (literally everywhere) for sunset or day time

Get out of Zanzibar

Zanzibar has more than enough to keep you occupied for weeks. The island is huge and different areas will give you something different.

However, surrounding Zanzibar is a sea of other options. Outside of the standard safari options like the Serengeti , the Selous, Ngorongoro crater etc, there are nearby islands that are worth visiting.

Mafia Island

If you’re a scuba diver, then you will want to visit Mafia Island. While there are endless diving options in Zanzibar, they do not compare whatsoever to Mafia Island . This is perhaps the best diving in East Africa offering crazy amounts of fish life and beautiful corals.

Mafia Island is also much more rustic and lesser developed than Zanzibar. The beaches are more wild and you won’t any large resorts nearby. From Zanzibar, you will need to take a fligh tto Dar Es Salaam, and onwards to Mafia island.

Pemba Island

Of the three Tanzanian islands, Pemba Island is without a doubt the least visited. This is good for those that are looking for a breathtaking and undiscovered tropical paradise. Pemba’s natural beauty is unmatched in my opinion. The beaches here are incredible and devoid of the beachboys and crowds that are all over Zanzibar. The hotels like the Aiyana are absolute paradise.

The island itself still feels like it lives in the old ways and while driving around, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The diving on Pemba is also spectacular although not quite as amazing as Mafia Island. However, if you want great diving and great beaches, then Pemba is your place.

There are only a handful of hotels on this big island so expect to pay more for your trip here. This is not a budget travel destination so plan for it that way.

Continue Reading:

• Visiting Nungwi, Zanzibar: A Detailed Travel Guide
• The Ultimate Travel and Kitesurfing Guide to Paje, Zanzibar
• Visiting The Rock: Zanzibar’s Ultimate Restaurant With A View

Cost of Living in Zanzibar: How Much It Costs To Live In Paradise

Hotel review for the park hyatt zanzibar: luxury in stone town, review of the matlai boutique hotel, zanzibar: paradise in michamvi.

• The Ultimate Guide To Diving & Snorkeling Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar
• The Ultimate Travel Guide For Stone Town, Zanzibar

The Ultimate Pemba Island Travel And Diving Guide

• Review of Zanzibar Sunrise Bandas: Matemwe’s Paradise Getaway
• Staying At the Dreams Of Zanzibar Hotel

Aiyana Hotel Review: Pure Luxury In Pemba Island

• Zawadi Hotel Detailed Review: Zanzibar Paradise Defined
• Review Of The Residence Hotel, Zanzibar: Average At Best

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Thank you SO much for this blog! I am going for 2 weeks and my brain is spinning a little bit. I have my diving certification and deciding whether to stay in one area of which hotels halfway through, etc.

Hi Joslyn, glad you found it helpful! Enjoy Zanzibar, it’s realy amazing!

Awesome information here! Me and my family will travel to Zanzibar this December/January. We love snorkeling and while I have found loads of info on snorkeling the Mnemba Island online, there really isn´t much info beside that.

Is it possible snorkeling directly from the beaches in Zanzibar as opposed to taking boat trips all the time? In that case, which beach would you recommend for snorkeling directly from the beach?

We plan to split our time between Kendwa (heard that the reef isn´t that good but more for general hanging around and swimming) and some place on the eastern side. Is it possible for instance to walk all the way to the reef during low tide on the eastern beaches and just kind of jump in and start snorkeling?

We will be dividing our time between Zanzibar and Mafia Island so no biggies if beach snorkeling in Zanzibar isn´t worth it, but it sure would make for more fun beach days =)

Once again, thank´s for an awesome blog, you are a real inspiration!

Hi Mike, Zanzibar is a big place so it relaly just depends on where your hotel and resort is and if there is a good reef nearby. When I stayed at the Zawadi hotel there was a local reef that I could reach as the tides were rising and it was amazing. I would say that most places on the island don’t have an easily accessible reef nearby. Of course, you can always just pick up a snorkel and fins and try your luck but you’re likely not going to see much. But otherwise, save the diving for Mafia and relax while in Zanzibar!

Hey Johnny, thank´s for fast reply! Ok so follow up question (this should probably be posted in your section on Mafia Island instead but oh well). Same question but for Mafia Island, is it possible to snorkel directly from the beach, either in Kilindoni area or in Utende area, or do you need to take boat out every time? Especially in the marine park, it seems it would build up to a lot of money pretty fast together with the daily conservation fees.

Yes definitely in mafia can snorkel from the beach in the marinr park side !

At last what a great blog !!, bookmarked and taking this with me for referencing, just one point I might have missed how long can I stay without renewing my visa. I’m Just arranging flights hope to stay from December until April. Once agian well done much appriated

Hi Jonathan, glad you like the blog. The Tanzanian visa is good for 90 days and you can extend it inside the country for another 90 days for a total of 6 months. It’s quite easy to do and you just need to visit the immigration office in Nungwi or Stone Town. I’m not sure what the cost is but i wouldn’t be surprised if this changed from person to person.

Great Blog! We are looking to go to Zanzibar next Jan/Feb. We love snorkeling so wanted to ask you where the best place is to snorkel from the beach. I read it is possible to wait for low tide, then walk out to the reef edge to snorkel. I heard this was possible in the Kiwengna Mstemwe areas. Have you got any advice? I know we can do snorkel trips, but it would make it rather expensive to do those daily and we are on a budget. Thanks for any help!

Hi Judith, yes you can snorkel at low tide in matwmwe. Just watch out for the sea urchins! I never did it but my hotel informed me it was possible.

Thanks for sharing this amazing blog with us. I appreciate your efforts to write this blog in detail.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

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Best Places to Visit in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a unique tourist destination in the African continent that is convincing thousands of tourists all over the world each year. 

Presence of nice beaches , Best diving & Snorkeling spots, Luxury Resorts, plenty of tourist activities , the uniqueness of its culture, are the reasons why a lot of tourists choose to visit the Islands.

This guide is here to help you understand which places you can visit in Zanzibar to get the most of your vacation.

Book a Tour today!

We organize a daily half day, Full days & Multi-day  tours in Zanzibar Islands. Take a time to explore and book online!

The Old Stone Town

Stone Town is a historical Town of Zanzibar Islands, it has a lot of fascinating Historical facts that makes more tourists visit each year. The main attractions in Stone Town are Former Slave Market, the House of Wonder, The Old Fort, Freddie Mercury House, Darajani market and so on. 

• Half day - Stone Town Tour
• Full day - Stone Town, Prsison Island & Spice Farms

Menai Bay Conservation Area

Are you interested in a full day tour around the ocean? This is one of the best places to go in Zanzibar. We call it ‘Blue Safari’. From this tour, you will visit areas of interest in Menai bay like Kwale Island, Sandbanks, Natural lagoon. 

Snorkeling at Menai Bay is insane! You will find a lot of colorful fishes and natural untouched coral gardens.

Book your Full day Blue Safari Today!

Mnemba Island, Matemwe beach

Mnemba Island is situated on the North East Coast of Unguja Island, Matemwe fishers village. This is the best place to visit in Zanzibar in case you will be staying on the North of the Island. 

Mnemba island is considered as the best snorkeling spot in Zanzibar . Not necessarily to stay in the North, you can still visit Mnemba while you stay in other parts of Zanzibar. You will need to book a tour which includes pick up & drop off service. 

Mnemba island has plenty of fishes and different Marines creatures which create the best snorkeling experience for the tourists, this is simply because fishing activities are not allowed near the Island corals. 

Mnemba Island tours:

• Half day - Mnemba Snorkeling
• Half day - Mnemba Dolphins & Snorkeling

Prison Island/ Changuu

If you are looking for the best places to visit in Zanzibar, Prison island must be in your basket. This is the popular island in Zanzibar which you may have seen on social media the tourists feeding & playing with the Giant Tortoises. 

These tortoises are the main attraction of Prison island, they have been living on this island for decades, and they were originally from the Seychelles islands which are located 1807 KM away from Zanzibar Islands.

On the other side, the Island has other things of interest. History and beaches are also the reasons why people choose to visit this place.

How to get to Prison island?

For details & booking of Prison island tour, please visit here . If you stay in Stone Town, you will not need to book a car. Our guide will follow you from the Hotel.

Nakupenda Sandbank, Stone Town

This is the Sandbank located 1.2 km just off Stone Town coast. This is the famous sandbank in Zanzibar, it was listed as the top second best travelers Choice Beach in Africa by TripAdvisor 2022. 

You can visit only Nakupenda Sandbank for a Half day tour, or you can combine it with Prison island for a full day tour. 

The best way to visit Nakupenda Sandbank is to go with Prison island because the tour will include lunch (Seafood BBQ), Fruits & Soft drinks.

Nakupenda Sandbank tours

• Half day - Nakupenda Sandbank
• Full day - Prison Island & Nakupenda Sanbank

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Forest

It is simply called Jozani Forest, this is not type of the Forest where you can find Lions, Giraffe, Elephant or any other animals that you can imagine to spot in the wild Safaris.

So, why is this place worth visiting? 

Jozani is the best place to visit in Zanzibar because it is the only place in the world where you can go and watch the unique Monkey species called the Red Colobus Monkey. These are the Fauna which only found in Zanzibar forests. 

How to visit Jozani forest?

Please visit our Jozani Forest tour page to get all the details about the booking process. This is a Half day tour, so we highly recommend you to combine it with Spice farm or visit the Rock Restaurant in Michamvi Beach.

Sunset Kae Beach, Michamvi

This is the one among the best places to chill in Zanzibar. You can visit just one person or with friends and family. In case you are on your honeymoon, this is also a very romantic place to be with your partner especially during the sunset time. 

Also you can visit before the sunset since there are other activities you can do like SUP tours, Fishing & Diving. But you need to organize them earlier.

Blue lagoon Michamvi Pingwe

If you will be staying on the South East Coast; Michamvi, Bwejuu, Paje, Jambiani and Makunduchi. Blue lagoon is the best place for you to visit. We guarantee that you will enjoy an amazing snorkeling experience! 

Swim among hundreds of colorful fishes, and explore the starfish, sea lions living in the untouched corals of Lagoon.

How to visit Blue lagoon?

Please book your blue Lagoon snorkeling half day tour with us today. The tour is inclusive of the local private Boat, Snorkeling equipment, Tropical fruits & Drinking water.

The Rock Restaurant

This is the popular tourist attraction to visit in Zanzibar. The Rock Restaurant is a unique restaurant found in Michamvi Pingwe Beach. You probably have found this small Island restaurant Surrounded by the ocean, maybe on Instagram or any social media. 

The restaurant offers a variety of Zanzibar cuisines and other popular dishes. Seafood BBQ, Starters, Pasta & Gnocchi, Desserts, Drinks and so on. 

Please check our guide on how to get to the Rock Restaurant .

Kendwa Beach, North

This is the must visit place in Zanzibar before you leave. Kendwa beach is located on the North Coast coast of Unguja Island, Zanzibar. It is considered as the best beach in Tanzania as a whole. 

Best time to visit Kendwa beach is during the Sunset timing, around 16:00 – 20:00. There are a lot of activities you can do here, such as Sunset Dhow Cruise , Skydiving, Quad bike tour , Snorkeling, or you can just swim in the ocean, it’s free. 

In case you would like to book your Hotel in Kendwa beach, then please book your transfer from the Airport to Kendwa beach here !

Baraka Turtles Aquarium, Nungwi.

Nungwi beach has a lot of attractions to visit, it is located on the North Coast just next to Kendwa beach. Baraka Natural Turtles aquarium is one of the attractions to visit in Nungwi. 

This is the place where you might have found on the internet tourists swimming with sea turtles. 

How to visit this place? 

Please contact us today, and we will organize you a tailor-made tour to swim with the turtles.

Forodhani Night Market, Stone Town

Are you looking to taste the best Zanzibar local foods? Then, Forodhani Night market is the best place for you to visit. It is located in Stone Town, inside the Forodhani Garden.

The market starts around 17:00 – 23:00 and the best time to visit is soon after the Sunset. Forodhani night market is a place where you can buy Zanzibar Pizza, Zanzibar Mix Soup, a variety of Seafood BBQ, Sugar Cane juice and so on.

FAQ about places to visit in Zanzibar

Kendwa beach, Menai Bay Area, Mnemba island Matemwe, Michamvi beach, Nungwi beach. 

Even though they are very close, you can even walk between Nungwi & Kendwa beach. Kendwa is best because of unique activities like Skydiving and Parasailing. 

Mnemba island, Baraka Natural Aquarium, Safari Blue (Menai Bay), Kae Sunset Beach, The Rock Restaurant. 

Kendwa beach, Stone Town, Jozani Forest, Mnemba island. 

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The ideal place for your dream holiday VISIT ZANZIBAR

Welcome to paradise.

Zanzibar is the ultimate Indian Ocean experience, with its fascinating history, incredible nature, enchanting sunset and magnificent beaches, altogether embraced by the scent of exotic spices. If you are looking for a peaceful yet active escape, Zanzibar is the perfect place to give rein to your holiday wanderlust.

VISITING ZANZIBAR

Forodhani Gardens Night Market

Jaws Corner

Darajani Bazaar

Mwani Centre

Explore the zanzibar archipelago with a spectacular underwater safari.

MORE EXPERIENCES

Abdalla Abeid Spice Farm

Sunset Dhow Cruise

The Real African romance

Bushtops Camps

Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium

Marine Turtle Conservation Santuary

WEDDINGS IN ZANZIBAR

Stepping onto the pristine shores of Zanzibar, you can feel an enchanting blend of love and tranquility in the air. This tropical paradise sets the stage for an unforgettable wedding, where dreams become reality. The soft caress of the ocean breeze, the golden sunsets painting the sky, and the rhythmic sound of the waves create a mesmerizing backdrop for your celebration of love.

Enjoy Zanzibar with Zuri

The Zuri Zanzibar is perfect for anyone that is wanting a truly unique experience as this beautiful resort offers everything that you could need for a dream vacation. If you are looking for something that is off the beaten African tracks, a place that allows you to feel absolute peace and tranquility, then the Zuri Zanzibar is just right for you.

Explore Zanzibar

Looking for the interesting finds and places to visit on your trip to Zanzibar. Look no further and check our interactive map out to help you plan your adventure.

BARAYAN: Cruise ship tourism unexploited frontier

• Fort Jesus and Old Town Mombasa remain two of the most underdeveloped tourist attractions in Mombasa.
• In Stone Town Zanzibar, there are not less than 21 places to stay in of differing costs while in Old Town Mombasa there is none.

One of the unique pleasures of Mombasa is that there are places of leisure that people visit for the same reason irrespective of social status, amount of personal wealth, state of one’s health, ethnic background, age, religious persuasion or gender.

One such place is Mama Ngina Waterfront. When one sits there within a short time one will see a speck on the horizon grow and grow, finally evolving into a massive ship of similar height to a six-storey building or more as it sails through the Likoni channel into the Port of Mombasa.

Not all ships that sail into the port bear cargo, some are cruise ships which bring tourists. Cruise tourism involves catering to the sightseeing, recreational and entertainment needs of passengers travelling on ships with multiple destinations and ports of call.

Cruise tourism products largely fall into three broad categories—contemporary, premium and luxury—with an estimated average daily cost of $200 (Sh 26,010) , $350 (Sh 45,518) and $500 (Sh 65,025) respectively.

At a port of call such as Mombasa, the cruise ship tourist spends an average of $190 (Sh 24,710) per day, which is significantly more than the $107 (Sh 13,915) the normal foreign tourist spends. Last year, according to Kenya Ports Authority records, there were about 12,000 such tourists, which is less than 10 per cent of the total 130,000 foreign visitors received.

To attract more cruise ship visitors we need to understand them and their requirements.

Statistics show that 93 per cent are from North America and Europe with an average age of 46 and 83 per cent married. Some 65 per cent are educated to college level, 72 per cent employed, while 21 per cent are retirees. Active adventure is the main excursion attraction of 62.5 per cent of these visitors.

The average duration of stay at a port of call is estimated at three days, which means that the excursions have to have minimal transfer time to the active site for the visitor to receive full value of money. Fort Jesus and Old Town Mombasa remain two of the most underdeveloped tourist attractions in Mombasa.

Fort Jesus, built between 1593 and 1596 to secure the safe passage of Portuguese ships to India, was fought for and lost nine times before the Omani Arabs took full control from the Portuguese in 1698.

Its rich history does not end with the imposing fort overlooking the entrance to the old port, but below the water where ancient shipwrecks lie.

Dr Bita, the head of underwater archaeology at the National Museums of Kenya, and Prof Castro, the only renowned scholar of Vasco Da Gama era shipwrecks worldwide, have made remarkable findings at Fort Jesus and along the Kenya coast giving Mombasa a solid foundation to build underwater diving as a tourism product.

The Santo Antonio de Tanna sunk in the 1697 siege of Mombasa and lies underwater at the foot of Fort Jesus, while one of Vasco Da Gama’s ships that hit the reef at Ngomeni and sunk has also been identified.

Old Town Mombasa has faced great difficulty keeping its authenticity with the changing socioeconomic needs of the resident community. Only recently the visit there by King Charles of England brought again into the limelight the existence of the oldest mosques in East and Central Africa founded in 1570 that has not only never once closed its doors to worshippers in all these centuries, but is one of the only two mosques in the world to have two mihrabs.

Despite the existence of such rich history and culture, there is a glaring difference between Old Town Mombasa and Stone Town Zanzibar in the development of the hospitality industry. In Stone Town Zanzibar, there are not less than 21 places to stay in of differing costs while in Old Town Mombasa there is none.

One such ready market for exploitation is Portugal, which unlike Spain is not within the top 30 origins of tourists to Kenya. Some 16,400 Spanish nationals visit Kenya annually despite the country having no significant historical ties with Kenya yet both countries have similar minimal wage rates.

With products tailor-made for cruise ship tourists and Kenya Port Authority maintaining its exemplary efficiency, the potential target of 140,000 cruise visitors annually could be attainable.

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Boozy British tourists heading to Zanzibar might be disappointed – and that’s a good thing

If you wanted to compare Zanzibar to anywhere, the Caribbean might be a good place to start. It’s certainly what my friend found herself doing after a recent visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis with her boyfriend – concluding that the latter was a poor imitation of the African island she and I had fallen in love with as backpackers 17 years ago.

“The beaches were rubbish compared to Zanzibar,” she announced – loudly – for all the café, and her boyfriend, to hear. “The sand wasn’t even white.”

It’s quite funny that anyone could go to the Caribbean and complain about the scenery, but the beaches in Zanzibar are pretty unrivalled, lapped by seas so blue they look like antifreeze washing on snow.

But while the African archipelago may be more stunning than many Caribbean rivals, have less litter than, say, Bali or Thailand , and have more culture and history than its Indian Ocean neighbours (Zanzibar’s capital is like a mini- Marrakech ), there’s one thing it doesn’t really have – and that’s a wild party scene.

It’s why the recent press reports describing Zanzibar as “the new Magaluf” have caused such a stir among my friends living in the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. I’ve visited Zanzibar five times, and, like the expats and locals that I befriended during those trips, I’m perplexed at how anyone could compare their sleepy equatorial home with the Mallorcan resort so beloved of oversexed teens and tanked-up stag and hen parties.

Yes, the beer may be cheap, as correctly identified in the reports, with some locally owned bars selling bottles for as little as £1 a pop. But no one’s going to fly all that way – and spend £450-plus on airfares – to save a few shillings on drinks.

The two places couldn’t be more different. Zanzibar’s only really got one obnoxiously loud bar that blasts dance music into the star-bleached sky (and drives its neighbours wild). And, though there may be plenty of chillout lounges and even some bijou clubs, the vibe at those is more “cocktails on the sands” and “sundowners overlooking the ocean”, rather than vodka shots, group T-shirts and everything else you associate with a cut-price Mediterranean bender.

Even the famous full-moon party on the beach at Kendwa couldn’t be less “Magaluf” if it tried, with African DJs cranking out Swahili hip-hop to a mixed crowd of locals, expats and 30-somethings on a post-safari flop.

“Anyone looking for Magaluf will be disappointed,” explained Sally, who moved to the island from England during lockdown. “I went to Magaluf when I was 17, and once was enough. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere like that.

“There are certain pockets in Zanzibar where people party. But it’s very contained. It’s not the whole of Paje or Nungwi, maybe just a couple of bars.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Fikile “Fix” Moeti, a former MTV Africa presenter, who used to DJ in Kendwa.

She said that there were a lot of Spanish and Middle East-based “DJs, club promoters and publicists” flying to Zanzibar, which was creating a bit of a buzz in places like Paje, but added that it was nothing like the sort of raucous atmosphere you might find in Magaluf.

The South African, who moved to the island two years ago, runs a fitness studio-cum-bar in the eastern beach village of Kiwengwa, which she occasionally spins the decks at. Her beachfront Yoga Bar ( yogabarzanzibar.com ) is pretty typical of the sort of hangout you’ll find yourself in during a holiday in Zanzibar – relaxed, low-key and extremely friendly, with guests chatting over their shoulder to the other holidaymakers on tables half-sunk in the sand.

Such easy mingling is what’s so great about the dozen or so fishing villages like Kiwengwa and Paje, around which Zanzibar’s tourist industry has formed.

They’re not full of soulless, resident-only resorts like you find on other Indian Ocean (or Caribbean) islands. They’re also extremely safe, meaning that rather than being confined to your hotel, you’ll happily spend your days (and nights) strolling along their white coral sands, dropping in at all the little independently owned bars and hotels you pass for a couple of drinks and a dip in their pool.

The locals haven’t been forced out by tourism either, meaning that even in the more developed villages, like Paje, you’ll still find boat builders repairing dhows beside your lunchtime hangout, and see school kids enjoying a game of sunset 25-a-side on the beach.

It’s quite the achievement given just how much resorts like Paje have exploded in popularity since 2020, when Tanzania’s late president – a chemistry PhD – rejected lockdowns and other restrictions, leading to a surge in visitor interest and investment.

Everywhere you look, new guesthouses, holiday lets and kitesurfing schools are popping up between the coral-stone houses and banana plantations in places like Paje, Nungwi and Kiwengwa.

But while tourist arrivals may have soared, jumping from around half-a-million a year before Covid, to just under 640,000 last year, the numbers are still comparatively low given the size of the island, and the fact that tourists are so widely dispersed around its north and east coasts.

In fact, you only have to examine the statistics for Mallorca (16.5 million visitors, to 900,000 locals) or Saint Kitts and Nevis (540,000 visitors, to 47,000 locals), to appreciate why most of Zanzibar’s 1.8 million residents still double-take at the sight of a pale mzungu (foreigner).

This is especially true on the northern island of Pemba, where you’ll find just a handful of eco-resorts, backpackers, and the occasional luxury hotel like The Manta Resort ( themantaresort.com ), famous for its underwater room with tropical fish swimming past the window.

But even on Zanzibar’s main island, tourism has barely made an impact away from the beaches and maze-like, former capital Stone Town, with very few tourists taking the opportunity to hike its rainforest, or visit its crumbling Arab palaces, harems and slave dungeons. It’s something the authorities are keen to rectify.

It won’t be easy, though. Zanzibar’s beaches are insanely hard to pry yourself away from, and with everything from diving and dolphins to some of the best kitesurfing conditions on the planet, it’s no wonder they leave such a lasting impact.

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